Theologians to Convene in Greece for Faith and Order Forum

Members of the WCC Commission on Faith and Order at their 2004 meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. L to R: Mr Sergey Hovorun; Russian Orthodox Church Rev. Hans Engdahl, Church of Sweden; Very Rev. Nareg Alemezian; Armenian Apostolic Catholicosate of Cilicia; Metropolitan Bishoy of Damietta (Nicola), Coptic Orthodox Church. (Photo: WCC/Peter Williams)

Theologians from around the world will take part next week in the World Council of Churches (WCC) meeting of the Commission on Faith and Order, seen as Christianity's most representative theological forum, according to WCC.

Scheduled to take place in Kolympari, Crete, Greece, from Oct. 7 to 14, the meeting will convene 120 members of the WCC under the theme "Called to be the One Church." Topics of discussion will include historically and recently dividing issues between Christian denominations.

"The Faith and Order Plenary Commission is the most expansive forum for theological dialogue in the world at the multi-lateral level," said Dr. John Gibaut, an Anglican theologian from Canada and director of the Commission on Faith and Order. "This meeting will bring together theologians from around the world, from all the major Christian traditions who are part of Faith and Order, including Roman Catholic, Pentecostal and Evangelical traditions."

"The work we've set before us is very important for the churches today," he added.

Representatives scheduled to participate in the gathering include Europe WCC president Dr. Mary Tanner, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople Metropolitan Prof. Dr. Gennadios of Sassima, Rev. Dr. Maake Masango of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, Rev. Dr. Marianela de la Paz Cot of the Episcopal Church in Cuba, and Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri of the Methodist Church in Malaysia, among others. The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople will participate in the opening of the meeting.

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